The building sits empty for twenty years. People may or may not know that it used to be a famous nightclub. One day a real estate developer buys the property with the intention of tearing it down and building high rise condos. Now, the people of the city are outraged. It’s not an unusual scenario. New real estate construction can destroy beloved landmarks.
It’s funny how attached people can get to a building with no value. However, that place may hold dear memories that they do not want to lose. In their minds, they like the old place sitting there. Who knows? One day they may want to drive their kids by it and tell a crazy tale from days gone buy. When real estate developers come to town, they may not know the history. To them, it’s a prime spot for new construction. For the city, it’s an increase in the property’s tax base. Progress happens. There’s no way to stop it. Where a landmark may not be able to survive in a changing city, those who will transform the location can certainly do their homework and be sensitive to the local attachment to it.
This is probably where most real estate types go afoul of a community. They move in and do their thing without regard to the local culture. They may still make their money on their new construction project, but they may find an unfriendly atmosphere when they try to live and negotiate in the town. In that case, landmarks should be destroyed or transformed with sensitivity.